Nick Cave

Youtube clip of Ship Song...more atmosphere than Cave himself.See http://youtu.be/HXHjsHM7_18 and from my blog review with photographs http://fmio.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/nick-cave-royal-albert-hall-london.html

So finally we get to see Nick Cave and my continued love hate relationship with the Royal Albert Hall. Spectacular interior, people dancing as if little cameos in their own boxes, people standing up in the gods looking down, the domed ceiling with the acoustic dishes hanging down, set against still por acoustics, the snare drum bouncing off the rear.
Given that the other half was third in the queue at the RAH when they first went on sale the seats secured were not as good as I had hoped for, but at least NC sat at the grand piano facing us, but when he left the piano stool and confronted the audience, the powerful side light beamed straight into our eyes. The RAH has crap lighting.
For the first time ever i had the ability to purchase a recording og the gig directly after, which during a 3 and a half hour trip to London and back a couple of days later proved worthwhile listening.
This was, and rather appropriately, a gig aimed at the location, ballads, laments, love songs with Cave proving to be probably the greatest living post modern crooner in the business. Gone was the violent/disturbing/searing Bad Seed’s approach, a request for Stagger Lee, and I would have liked to hear it too, was rather brutally dismissed by Cave, (‘you might as well fuck off now’), although he did apologise immediately. No it was not going to be one of those gigs, a more suitable location would be required for that side of his and the full Bad Seed’s persona.
Unlike the weak bladdered, in constant need of a drink fellow audience members (another big grip for the RAH) who kept on getting up and down, passing by so we all had to shift (although swivel seats helped) with little regard to all those they were disturbing. And to the two pratts behind us who constantly chatted through numbers until those around started to complain to their faces. The guy next to me got up and started to go over the seat to get at them, thought he was going to deck them, Cave’s relationship with the audience could not have been better (the fuck off now was really a joke). He got down in with them, bought three up on stage for a group hug and even had a basic duet with one big guy who obviously knew every word. Cave was also generous in his thanks to the audience leaving the stage finally on after the second encore with a rendition of Push the Sky Away which was joined in by the audience in hushed tones.

Then there was a 20minute queue to gather our pre ordered cd, a real production line was noticeable in entrance gate vestibule 9 with what looked like an optical cable running inside to the mixing desk. Even Tamsin Grieg the actress from the memorable Episodes comedy series, who was sitting just along from us had to queue. Once the cds were cut, then the queue moved quickly as they were placed into covers already printed for the tour.
Next Berlin a couple of days later.

9/10 (too many ballads) otherwise 10/10. (and for us, must see him somewhere less formal, Koko again please.

Set List
Water's Edge
The Weeping Song
Red Right Hand
Brompton Oratory
Higgs Boson Blues
Mermaids
The Ship Song
From Her to Eternity
Love Letter
Into My Arms
West Country Girl
Tupelo
Black Hair
The Mercy Seat
Jubilee Street

Encore:
Avalanche
And No More Shall We Part
Breathless
Jack the Ripper
Stranger Than Kindness
Up Jumped the Devil
The Lyre of Orpheus

Encore 2:
Push the Sky Away

There are few musicians who can sincerely claim to have had as much impact on alternative music as Nick Cave. The veteran frontman began plying his trade with The Birthday Party in the late 70s and today still remains one of the most respected men in rock. With a career spanning 30 years, and 22 albums, witnessing a Nick Cave show is truly like watching a master at work. One of the most striking elements of Cave’s music is his lyrics. Often with great modern songwriters such as Morrissey or Alex Turner, it is said that their lyrics could be poetry recited to music. That's not the case here; Nick Cave is a master of writing lyrics as lyrics should be. They immediately strike you, but as you continue to listen they develop into something greater: whether it's a devil or a joke there's always something going on in those words, always something poking its head out from in-between the lines. Another thing that makes Cave so exciting as an artist is his versatility, often reinvigorating classical song-writing structures by making them his own: whether it’s the gorgeous piano-ballads on "The Boatman's Call" or the pent-up punk of songs such as Grinderman's "No Pussy Blues."
Characterized by Cave’s deep and melodic style of singing; he writes brilliantly stark, apocalyptic odes to love and human nature, so often accompanied by a deliciously post-modern twist of his hip and his signature deprecating humor. However Cave has not built his legacy on lyrics alone, having worked side-by-side with the likes of Warren Ellis and Roland S Howard, Cave’s songs are set to astounding soundtracks and examples of superb musicianship.
Today, many people claim that the concept of a “frontman” is dead. Admittedly, there are some who have tried to revive the idea. But while at times the often Butlins-esque showmanship of these coiffed pretenders may satisfy, you haven't seen how a true frontman does it until you've seen the Black Duke strut his stuff all over your apprehensively pre-conceived sense of dignity. From climbing into a crowd and demanding that some "hatted motherf***er" make a request, before performing a perfect rendition of a decade-old B-side (as well as his greatest hits,) to screaming every word of the hormone-fueled, sounds-like-a-Tarantino-wet-dream death-blues of “Stagger Lee” into the eyes of an adoring female fan: there's never a dull moment. If this all sounds a little too niche, not to fear, Cave understands his audiences and the out-and-out entertainer, whether it’s at a festival or a theater, never ceases to entertain. Watching Nick Cave is watching a man who has come through everything that being an artist can throw at you, with his sense-of-humor and passion for performance still in check. His shows are little individual masterpieces, never the same and always exciting. He crafts his songs in front of you, etching out the nuances of every grandiose ballad, anthemic rock song or terrifying piece of social commentary. If you haven’t seen him already, do so: if you have, see him again.

I have never seen NC before last night, but was somewhat familiar with his music and band and enjoyed what I knew, so I was looking forward to the concert. It was a great venue (the Mann, Philadelphia) so almost any show there is awesome. Nick came out with thunderous vocals and music. The first song was a thumping, moody piece, and that gave way to many loud, brash and unmusical songs. There was a lot of noise and all of the band members seemed to be trying real hard, almost to compete with one another rather than play as a unified band. I thought the second song (I don’t know its title) would have been a good closer or penultimate choice rather than putting something so inaccessible in the beginning. In fact, most of the playlist seemed to be out of order without a lot of flow to the show. He does have a few melodic numbers which he executed quite well. And I think the audio was too loud for that venue - when we moved up the hill the acoustics were better. The crowd seemed enthusiastic to applaud to each song but few were dancing to anything (as none seemed really dance-able) which when I see I interpret as people having a great time. Most were just sitting in their seats watching the at times bombastic songs unfold. His set wasn’t particularly long and I didn’t stay to see if he played a 2nd encore (I doubt he did). Many people seemed to be leaving without lingering to find out either. I spoke with one concert-goer who was down in front and she said it was great. I am sure her ears are reminding her today of the decibels.

Australian goth rock icon Nick Cave and his wonderful Bad Seeds have been a staple appearance at most UK festivals for the past few years following the release of 'Push The Sky Away'. This is perhaps due to the ethereal, mesmerising stage show filled with classic alt-rock hits that continue to draw older, devoted fans to the show as well as newer converts to his music.

It has influenced a large amount of contemporaries so it is hard to miss the mention of Nick Cave on the alternative circuit. The man himself is quite a reserved performer, not particularly performing in the iconic manner that one may expect yet instead staying very grounded and concentrating on recreating the likes of 'Jubilee Street' to the highest quality.

Stage chatter is also kept to a minimal as the whole band are fixed in their zones and concentrate on packing in as many of the classics that they can within the allotted time. There are big cheers for 'The Mercy Seat' yet the whole show in general is something of amazement and the audience leave well and truly satisfied by the great man.

Sorry! I complained that I only saw Antwerp and Amsterdam as suggestions for concerts in my region. And then I wrote that Northern, Central and Eastern Europe are probably no longer in demand for international artists. Now I see Oberhausen, Berlin and Oslo were set for September. N.C. a. t. B. S. were in Antwerp for two days. The second concert on 31.102024 was sold out. It was an entertaining and soulful evening with the Bad Seeds and Nick. Nick put a lot of soul into his performance and cuddled with the audience on every song, Warren is an excellent multi-instrumentalist and the vocal ensemble is impressive. The whole band is like a unit. The whole arena sang along to The Weeping Song.

Sorry! I was complaining that I only saw Antwerp and Amsterdam as suggestions for concerts. And then I wrote that Northern, Central and Eastern Europe are probably no longer in demand for international artists. Now I see Oberhausen, Berlin and Oslo were set for September. N.C. a. t. B. S. were in Antwerp for two days. The second concert on 31.102024 was sold out. It was an entertaining and soulful evening with the Bad Seeds and Nick. Nick put a lot of soul into his performance and cuddled with the audience on every song, Warren is an excellent multi-instrumentalist and the vocal ensemble is impressive. The whole band is like a unit. The whole arena sang along to The Weeping Song.

The show was very good although there were sometimes uninteresting questions being asked about ‘other’ people who of course may have been important to him but if you have Nick Cave on the stage you should try to catch as much as you can from this wonderful artist. He is brilliant, funny and - surprisingly to me - a very open person who does not have any taboos and can talk about anything. It’s amazing how easily he can find the right beautiful words to describe the most complicated emotions and states of mind.
Looking forward to going to the exhibition in Copenhagen.

Un gran concierto el de Nick Cave en el Palacio Municipal de Congresos de Madrid. Dos horas largas de espectáculo durante las cuales sonó un alto porcentaje de temas clásicos del músico australiano, entremezclados con cortes de su último disco "Push the Sky Away".

A destacar el sonido y el cuidado por el detalle, además de la dinámica brutal de la que hacen gala. La banda es capaz de poner los pelos de punta con la alternancia entre pasajes de gran delicadeza y otros de potencia pura. Una auténtica maravilla.

Nick’s performance was more accurately an experience. He built a relationship with the audience that was at times funny, compassionate, moving. At one point, after playing “Into My Arms,” he spoke with an audience member about the loss of a loved one that moved me to tears. I go to many concerts and there have been great ones, but rarely am I sobbing with deep emotions. He was gracious, generous, honest. Few like him.

Magical, surealistic and absolutely amazing proformance from Nick Cave and his fellow artists last night. I am still high on the experience. He got me eating right out of his hand. It wasn't just a concert, it was an interacting hypnotic travel through sound and emotion. Watched the whole show on stage. I will never forget this concert.
Go if you get the chance!! :)